As Waterbury continues to dig out from more than 2 feet of snow that fell during the blizzard, the mayor turned to the city’s teens to help shovel at the schools and 500 people showed up for the work.

“Mayor O'Leary has just announced that any youth ages 14-up that want to earn minimum wage to help shovel out the schools should show up at his office on Grand Street tomorrow at 12noon (on Tuesday) dressed warm with a shovel. See you then,” the Waterbury Police Activity League Web site says.

The mayor's office is paying minimum wage. Shovelers had to bring an ID. If they were under 18, they had to bring a parent.

Waterbury schools are out for the day and students will be shoveling until 5 p.m. Everyone will be back at 9 a.m. on Wednesday for a second day of clearning.

"neighbors get together and help other neighbors, you don't have to pay people"

Um, these weren't snowed-in neighbours, it was the school. Fat chance all the school kids in ANY city would get together to clear the walks and parking lots of their school for free! The old folks next door? Sure, they would quite likely offer to dig them out without question.It is an excellent idea to offer to pay them a few bucks.

Here in Phoenix, neighbors get together and help other neighbors, you don't have to pay people (or entities) to help others down on their luck from a tragedy or act of God. I like living here. I'm sorry that in your neck of the woods payment from the government is required to help others.

--Whew! You had me worried there for a second. I thought that perhaps the bovine excrement the teacher were spewing was getting so high in those classrooms that the kids wouldn't be able to even get though the doors..